Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Challenge of Color Blog Hop!

Welcome to the 2nd annual Challenge of Color Blog Hop!
First I totally need to thank Erin for putting this all together for us.  As you all know I have been a bit scarse in blogland as of late with all the goings on in my families life so I have to tell you I almost missed the opportunity to particapate in this one (luckily Erin is to sweet to say no when you are late ,,,Whew!) that she was more than happy (I hope) to squeeze me in on this one.  I participated in the first one last year and loved it so much I would have been left crying and screaming "how could you miss this!" to myself until the next challenge and I am sure none of you want to hear my whining anymore!  
With that said once again
Welcome to the 2nd annual Challenge of Color Blog Hop!
All that was required was that you contact Miss Erin (who is one of the sweetest and inspiring women on the planet) and give her a color.  Now what kind of challenge would it be if I continued on my current color rut of brown, blue and green?  Not a challenge so I choose Pink!  Yes Pink.  I really don't work in this color unless someone asks me to (which doesn't happen very often) so I thought it might get me to break out and try something new.  Here is the palette she sent me.....
I was instantly in love with it, AND you know what else?  I had stash to match!  What a WIN!  So what to do....what to do?
Well I did something that I have yet to ever do.  I set my colors on my tray and let the beads tell me where they wanted to be.  I was intending to try and use all the colors in the palette but those sweet beads said NO!  Here is what they said I should use....

So I began stitching with no plan in mind at all.  What a completely scary concept this was for me.  I have a pretty good knowledge of stitches and how they lay when you wear them so what could happen?  

Scooped Up is what happened.
I love where the colors led me even though the green did not stand out like I thought it would, this is a cherished piece to me for so many reasons. Now I am still not so sure about the beginnings of that bracelet but, this challenge finally gave me the courage to explore my abilities and stretch my skills as a beader and designer.  For that I am truly grateful to Erin for leading me to a totally different hallway with a door I never knew was there.  She is my "Inspirationalist" with that did you see those little earrings?

SO a funny thing happened on my way through this challenge.
I never thought my bead journey would take me to this place but I have started my own designing.  I KNOW!  I am as surprised as you!  I have begun writing a tutorial for the sweetest little earrings.  Actually the tutorial is written I just need to make a couple more pairs for color variations for the title page and clean up a few photos and then I will be opening my own ETSY shop. I am still very concerned that in my own excitement I am overestimating the value of my design but I am finally willing to take this leap of faith and dive in head first.  We will just have to see what the next step brings.
Please enjoy visiting all these amazing artists and their journey's through this challenge and give a huge shout out to Erin for being Erin!

18 Tari Kahrs ~ Orange ~ Citrus Tones
35 CJ Bauschka ~ Teal ~ Teal Air
41 Jenni Connolly ~ Gray ~ Paw Tones
54 Dawn Doucette ~ Brown ~ Jarred Tones

Hugs and Blessings!
KK

38 comments:

  1. wow!Such pretty pieces. The only suggestion I have for you is some closer pictures so everyone can see your beautiful stitching. I can't do anything like that and they are lovely.
    Shannon C

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  2. Your color palette would have been a challenge for me. But you created such beautiful pieces using this palette. Great job.

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  3. very pretty, wonderful beadwork...love your design

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  4. This set is as delicious looking as the palette picture!!! You did an amazing job capturing the palette! And the design is gorgeous. And I SO can't wait to check out your new design!!!! YAY! I know it's going to be fabulous.

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  5. Oh dear me, I'm licking my screen. You know I have a love affair with ice cream, throw in beads and now I need rehab! :o)

    Kristen, I LOVE what you did with that necklace. The focal is stunning. I only wish I could treat you to coffee so we could showcase your skills out in public! :o)

    {Hugs!}

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  6. Wow! Girlfriend, you knocked it out of the park here. I love those pieces and while I'm not usually a pink person either, I totally love the pink. Great job!

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  7. I love that you named your piece for the palette. That is so wonderful! You are on your way, Miss Kristen, and I am thrilled to be a catalyst to your success. Work on those variations and spend a lot of quality time with your camera, especially on the macro setting to see those pretty stitches!
    Off to hop!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  8. What a fun pallet! Your piece is just beautiful! You must be so pleased!

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  9. You did so fabulous with this challenge! I did the same thing as you in pulling out my beads and trying to get them to speak, but they were NOT speaking my language. In the end, I let the focal I created tell me what it wanted to be.

    It's so great that you got so much more than a few pieces of jewelry out of this challenge. How great is that!? Best of luck as you move forward with the designing!

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  10. What intricate beauty you pulled from the inspiration of ice-cream, normally that inspires me to watch a girly dvd! :) Best of luck with your designs and etsy shop!

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  11. Way to go, blowing the rest of us out of the water!! :) I so adore that necklace, you did such a great job on it. I'm with the rest, I want lots of close ups so I can drool over your genius!!! Awesome job, girlfriend!!

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  12. Your designs are just stunning. I love your necklace. The focal is wonderful.

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  13. Pretty necklace (& earrings) for a pretty palette. PRETTY!!!!

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  14. No joke that color palette is delicious! Love all those pinks - beautiful work Kristen - and YAY for designing! XOXO

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  15. Really beautiful designs! Your bead work is gorgeous.

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  16. Beautiful job, Kristen! Congrats on taking the big step of opening your shop--can't wait to see it!

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  17. Your necklace is beautiful! The colors are sooo yummy! Best of luck with your designing. The first piece is the hardest :)!

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  18. Wow your set is gorgeous I love your design and the colors all came together beautifully.
    Therese

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  19. What a lovely beaded set! The colors are just beautiful. How exciting that your experience led you down a new path.

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  20. Oh my goodness - I LOVE your pieces! These colors are simply delicious, and your interpretation of them is just plain gorgeous! Beautiful job!

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  21. So beautiful! What a pretty set! I love your interpretation of scoops...sweet!

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  22. What pretty pieces. And so much work. A nice job. And congrats on your writing and shop opening.

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  23. ooooh pretty! I don't know how you seed beaders do it.

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  24. Ohhhh, how wonderful! What lovely work you do :) Bravo! Beautiful pieces, you should be so proud!

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  25. Wow Kristen!!!!

    You have really progressed so much and now opening the store, congratulations! I was thinking about it in a few months, so you will have to tell me all about it. LOL.

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  26. Lovely work. Isn't it funny you asked for pink to get out of your brown rut and -- low and behold -- brown is paired with pink in your palette.

    I agree with the rest, take a deep breath and jump in, spend time with your macro setting a go.for.it!

    Emanda

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  27. What a sweet necklace! Pink can be such a tricky colour, but here it looks great. And the earrings are so cute too. Well done!

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  28. You took a palette that could have turned totally Barbie and made something much more sophisticated -- like a delicious sorbet! Nice work.

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  29. What a beautiful necklace! Love the fact that it is pink without being to "girly sweet". Classy and charming - I love it!

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  30. Woohoo, stunning work Kristen,

    I am loving your creations! I also like that you stretched yourself to use pink.

    Brilliant woman!

    Peace,
    Donna

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  31. I love your pretty palette and your equally pretty results...such a lot of work with those tiny beads! I can understand your excitement...this whole experience has been fun.
    Jenni

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  32. I like the design, you did a great job with your palette (but how you seed beaders do all those things is and will always be a mistery for me).

    Ambra

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  33. Those are really cute! that was kinda a hard palette and you rocked it!!

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  34. Kristen you are simply amazing, these pieces are phenomenally beautiful. You met the challenge and exceeded it.

    Look forward to visiting your Etsy shop, I am sure it will be just as stunning a success as your jewelry is stunningly lovely. :)

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  35. What lovely color combinations!
    jaycee

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